If this is your first massage or simply your first time at ANUE, you may have questions about what to expect. Below are answers to the questions that we are asked most frequently. If you have additional questions, feel free to email us or post them to Twitter.

Everybody would like their body to be more durable.  Wouldn’t you?  The word “durable”, used as an adjective meaning: lasting, long-lasting, long-lived, enduring.  As an athlete durability translates into weeks of injury-free workouts and better performance at running events.

For over a year, part of my plan for lifetime fitness and wellness has included a weekly massage with Pam Shippey.  With her expertise, applied weekly, I can stay ahead of the injury and the wear and tear a body takes.  With a body well into the fifties, my muscles and joints have seen a lot of miles.  The muscles need to be kept loose and juicy.  Regular and frequent massage can give you that.

Pam has kept me on track. That way I can get out and “play” whenever I want.

I should have done weekly massage with Pam a long time ago…..but that’s another story.

Jeff Jacobs, Captain, Southwest Airlines
Photo:  P.F Chang Rock N Roll Marathon,  Jan 2010

Massage can increase flexibility and blood flow in the lives of Parkinson’s patients. The following information will give you some of the symptoms, and how massage can benefit people with Parkinson’s.  This article will give some background on Parkinson’s and the symptoms.

What is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?

The following information is taken from the book “Parkinson’s Disease: What you and Your Family Should Know, Fourth Edition” written by: The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. My intention is to give a concise explanation of Parkinson’s Disease.

Every year about this time, people begin thinking about the new year and the changes it will bring. Some people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get a better job, get married, or simply to get a life. Millions of Americans will also make the resolution to quit smoking.

Nearly 48 million Americans aged 18 years and older smoke. Of these, fully 70%–nearly 34 million smokers–want to quit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. This year 1.3 million of these smokers will quit successfully. Why do tens of millions want to quit but only a fraction actually succeeds? The answer is that most people just don’t know how to go about quitting.

Follow the 11 simple steps outlined below to assure your quit-smoking success.

For those seeking the in-depth information, the beginning of this article is very technical. You may choose to skip down through the first three or four paragraphs to find more general information.

Craniosacral was first developed by John Upledger. In 1971, he first discovered that the dural mater cycled in a wave like motion at a cycle of 6 to 12 cycles per minute. It was during a surgery that Upledger was assisting a neurosurgeon, when he noticed the dural membrane not holding still. Upledgers’s was to hold the membrane still with a pair of forceps so the surgeon could remove calcified plaque without disrupting the integrity of the dural mater. His inability to perform this simple task led to his awareness of a wave-like motion traveling through the dura mater in the spine. This was the start and discovery of Crainoscral Therapy.

In today’s world stress is a factor and particularly in the work place. With deadlines having to be met, the rapid increase of technology and interpersonal conflict are just a few stresses employees cope with on a daily basis.

In the work place massage is known to increase productivity. When employers invest in the health and well-being of their employees, it decreases absenteeism, lowers employee turnover and increases employee morale. Research has found the results of massage in the work place cost the employers less money, and helps the employees to put on a happy face.

A relaxing massage from a trained professional has been known to help increase body awareness. It opens channels in the body and mind, increases oxygen and essential body fluids and allows them to freely flow. Massage also helps to soothe nerve endings, loosening tissues, which helps them to rebuild and heal injured tissues. Massage helps to remove toxins and waste from the body and helps the employee to feel and think more positively of themselves and their bodies. It also helps them to think quickly and more clearly. Not only does massage help a person to relax, it very much can be and often is a positive life moving experience.

Open paths in your life you never thought were possible before.

Life is an expression of energy. There is a central source of energy that never depletes itself and it cycles from its center to life itself. In the human body there are different elements of energy that run throughout it, and with these energies, if kept balanced, keeps the body free from disease.

I learned about Dr. Stones work in Polarity from a group of wonderful teachers at the SWIHA. I practiced how to directly access this central source of energy to help release energy blocks caused by negative thought processes. These negative thoughts were created by physical, and emotional trauma that kept the body safe while experiencing events in life. While those thoughts may have served the client in the past it is apparent through the pain in their lives it does not serve them now. The memory of these incidents is locked into the cells and creates a holding pattern. This pattern exists until these memories are revisited again and brought into harmony with the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.

CranialSacral Unwinding

Known to release the fascia and relieve nerve pain. Been Known to Help: Chronic Pain Syndromes, Headaches, Joint Pain and Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Lower Back Pain, Traumatic Injuries, Strokes, Degenerative Diseases of the Central Nervous System and Emotional Trauma, to name a few.

Polarity

Known to release and align the body’s energy fields. Polarity Therapy is a natural health care system that works with the human energy fields. Learn more about Polarity treatments in our article “Understanding Polarity.”

Myo 7 Step

Can increase the range of motion and release body toxins.

Swedish Massage

A gentle relaxing massage, helping as a mechanical cleanser and stimulator, relaxing muscle spasms, and relieving tension, thus increasing your state of well being.

La Stone Massage

Mother Natures way of bring you right down to earth and relaxing you.

Indian Head Massage

Relieve tension and long-term ailments such as RSI, Insomnia, headaches, eye-strain and sinusitis. Relaxes entire body through reflex points. Stimulates scalp circulation. Also tones and relaxes scalp muscles. Improves concentration, boosts immune system. Toxins are expelled (lymphatic drainage). Can help with hair loss and premature graying. Breaks down scar tissue in the face, tones and tighten the skin and more.

Champissage

An advanced form of East Indian Head Massage. It works with various energy systems in the face, neck and head. Can result in emotional releases from the client. Naturally breaks down scar tissue in the face, tones and tightens the skin. Balances the energy of the internal organs and chakras. Can give a natural face-lift and help in the release of temporo-mandibular joint tension. Helps sinusitis reduction and healing, Insomnia and disturbances in sleep.

Lymphatic Massage

Is a very gentle light massage to help the lymphatic fluid which is right beneath the surface of the skin to be directed towards the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system is part of your immune system and cleans toxins, proteins, cancer cells, virus and dead cells about 20 times faster than the body is able to do on its own. Once a great amount of toxins are eliminated, the body is able to relax more deeply and use its energy more directly to regenerate the cells. People have been know to lose weight, increased energy level, sleep better, think clearer and reduce scaring with regular treatments.

Neuromuscular/Trigger Point

A trained massage therapist manipulates soft tissue to increase the circulation of blood and lymph flow. The focus on trigger point to preciously release tired sore muscles for a longer lasting effect. Has been known to help decrease pain and tension due to pre- and post-surgery, spots injuries, car accidents, general restoration or better sports performance, healthier skin, less mental fatigue, mental, and physical balance.

Pregnancy Massage

Relaxing massage designed specifically for mother and baby.

Reiki

Ancient hands on healing art to relax the body to a peaceful state.

You have made a wonderful decision to have a professional massage. There are over 25 million Americans who seek professional massage and bodywork each year. Here are some tips to help you have a pleasant experience.

• Be selective of the therapist you choose. When making an appointment ask questions or ask them when you arrive in the office just before your massage so you can feel safe.
• Your therapist may ask you to fill out a confidential client form. Be sure to share any concerns or information you might have about health problems before the massage begins.